Weekly Prayer Calendar ----February 26 -April 1, Weekly Theme: The Lord s Prayer

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1 Weekly Prayer Calendar ----February 26 -April 1, 2018 Weekly Theme: The Lord s Prayer Monday, February 26 Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Think about the holiness of God as you pray today. What does holy mean to you? What does it mean to you that a holy God would want to hear your prayers? Tuesday, February 27 Thy kingdom come What would it look like in your community if God s kingdom were fully present? What is one practical thing you can do today to help bring about God s kingdom? Wednesday, February 28 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven We are saved by faith alone. Yet Scripture, including through the teachings of Jesus, tells us that obedience is a sign of our faith and salvation. Pray for the direction and confidence needed to follow God s will in your life today. Thursday, March 1 Give us this day our daily bread Offer up a prayer of gratitude, recognizing that all you have is a blessing from God. Keep in mind those in your community whose daily needs are not met whether it is food, shelter, or medical care. Friday, March 2 Forgives us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us As you seek forgiveness, offer forgiveness. There may still need to be consequences and/or boundaries, but let go of the power that holding onto wrongs can have over you. Saturday, March 3 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Ask God for the strength to focus on what God would have you do today. Say a special prayer for those who struggle with addiction. Sunday, March 4 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Why do we pray all of these things in the Lord s Prayer? Because all power and glory belong to God they always have and always will. Let this truth animate your worship today.

2 Weekly Theme: The Beatitudes Monday, March 5 -- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The Beatitudes are so impactful because they turn perspectives upside down. Jesus begins by proclaiming that those who find little hope in the kingdoms of this world will find their place in the heavenly kingdom. Tuesday, March 6 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Say a prayer for those in your community who are grieving the loss of loved ones. May God bring them peace. Wednesday, March 7 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Say a prayer of thanks for those people in your life who model humility. Consider finding some small way to let them know that you appreciate them. Thursday, March 8 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Ask God to make you aware of voices that are calling for justice and righteousness. Pray for the openness to listen and learn from them. Friday, March 9 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Ask God to show you ways that you can be an active force for mercy and peace in your community. Saturday, March 10 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Be honest with God about your doubts, your struggles, and the ways in which doing God s will remains difficult. Ask God to reveal and remove the impurities that hinder your relationship. Sunday, March 11 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on [Jesus ] account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Ask God for the courage to live a life that reflects your faith in everything you do. Say a prayer for those around the world who face persecution, including violence and even death, for their faith.

3 Weekly Theme: Fruits of the Spirit Monday, March 12 Love Ask God to increase within you the fruit of love To love God and to show others the love of God. Tuesday, March 13 Joy Ask God to increase within you the fruit of joy In God s presence, promises and work in our lives, we will find Joy. Wednesday, March 14 Peace Ask God to increase within you the fruit of peace the peace of a harmonious relationship with God. Thursday, March 15 Patience Ask God to increase within you the fruit of patience Enduring pain and suffering without complaining; slow to anger and waiting for God to provide comfort. Friday, March 16 Kindness, Generosity Ask God to increase within you the fruits of kindness and generosity Extending ourselves to all mankind especially the needy. Saturday, March 17 Faithfulness, Gentleness Ask God to increase within you the fruits of faithfulness and gentleness Steadfast in everything; humility and thankfulness to God. Sunday, March 18 Self-Control Ask God to increase within you the fruit of self-control --The ability to control thoughts, words, and actions bring Glory to God.

4 Weekly Theme: Spiritual Disciplines Monday, March 19 My prayer life Ask God to bring you assurance that your prayers are heard and valued. Tuesday, March 20 My reading of Scripture Ask God to bring the Word of God alive for you today. Wednesday, March 21 My practice of celebration/gratitude Ask God to make you someone who remembers to celebrate and give thanks often. Thursday, March 22 My practice of giving/simplicity Ask God to show you how you can simplify your life. Dedicate or donate any time, resources, or tangible things you no longer need or use to someone or some organization that needs it. Friday, March 23 My practice of service/missions Ask God to place on your heart a person or group, a problem, or an organization to whom or through which you can be the hands and feet of Christ. Saturday, March 24 My practice of Sabbath/silence/solitude Ask God to help you find spaces in your life where you can be still and rest in God s presence. Sunday, March 25 (Palm Sunday) My practice of worship Ask God to reignite your passion for worship, especially as you come to church today.

5 Weekly Theme: Life of Jesus Monday, March 26 The birth/baptism of Jesus Think about how much of a sacrifice and how great a gift it was that the infinite God chose to take on human flesh. Remember and give thanks for the gift of baptism. Tuesday, March 27 The teachings of Jesus Reflect on the teachings of Jesus that have had the greatest impact on your life. Notice too how Jesus often chooses to teach through stories. Ask God how you can use your story. Wednesday, March 28 The miracles of Jesus Remember the ways in which Christ did the work of God through miracles. Give thanks for the modern-day miracles that we take for granted all the time. Thursday, March 29, Maundy Thursday, The institution of communion As we mark the night of the Last Supper, remember that Jesus called them to unity. Remember also that Jesus took an ordinary meal, bread and wine, and made it extraordinary. Friday, March 30 The crucifixion of Jesus Remember the pain and suffering that Christ took upon Him, even though He did not deserve it, so that our sins could be forgiven. Saturday, March 31 The defeat of sin and death Remember that as the world waited in silence, Jesus continued to reveal God s power and love for us by defeating the powers of sin and death. Ask God to defeat them in your life today. Sunday, April 1 (Easter Sunday) The Resurrection Remember the most amazing gift of all Christ rose from the dead! In doing so, he made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to be in relationship with God for eternity. Adapted from an original prepared by Rev. Dan Wunderlich (DefiningGrace.com) The inclusion of the Lord s Prayer and the Beatitudes was inspired by The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess, and David Van Biema (Convergent Books, 20)